795. Jinger Gottschall, New Balance Director of Sports Research

"That’s such a good question, and one that I absolutely refuse to answer!" Welcome to Ask Ali, a twice-a-month series where I answer all of your questions. This time around, I’m flying through 39 listener questions, sent in via Instagram Stories (I’m @aliontherun1), about my upcoming race announcing plans, how I'm feeling about moving (again!), what's most fulfilling to me right now, my take on introspection and talking about my feelings, and so much more. SPONSOR: goodr. Click here and use code ONTHERUN15 for 15% off your entire goodr order! You asked: What three Peloton instructors would you most like to have dinner with together? (3:20) Any plans to return to the west coast for races or announcing? (4:45) Do you use your New Balance SuperComp Trainers for every run or do you cycle your shoes? (6:40) Do we get a video house tour of the new house? (7:00) What is your favorite thing about the new house? (9:45) Love your relationship with your parents. Have you always been close? (11:35) What is your favorite distance to run and why? (15:20) How did you start getting up at 4:30? Was it hard? (16:35) If money is no object, what trip are you taking with Brian, and where are you going with Annie? (18:35) What happens if you are mid-interview and realize you don’t vibe with your guest? (20:45) Rank race announcing, podcasting, and media roles in order of most fulfilling to least (23:30) Do you watch Bridgerton? (25:20) What are you most excited for right now? (25:45) You’ve accomplished so much with your announcing. What’s the next big or kind of scary dream? (26:00) How to introduce yourself to someone in real life that you follow on Instagram (26:35) Does running solo in the dark ever scare you? (29:10) Do you know your enneagram number? (31:15) When will you be in London? (31:35) What state is New Hampshire’s biggest rival? (31:45) Is the On the Job series returning? (32:45) Did you intend your move to NH to be permanent when you first left New Jersey in early 2020? (32:50) Any advice on how to deal with negative feedback and on how not to take it personally? (34:15) What’s next for you race-wise? (37:20) What is the last thing you bought and loved on Amazon? (39:15) Will you do family Halloween costumes? (40:00) What does Annie think you and Brian do for a living? (40:20) My mother-in-law always tells me running is dangerous. What should I say back? (41:00) Team pumpkin or apple? (41:40) Any good book recommendations? (41:50) You own a themed café. Tell me about it. (42:20) Cold or hot lobster roll? (45:10) Advice for a 19-year-old feeling lost (45:30) What is the hardest thing about having a running podcast? (46:40) How is Annie handling the recent move? (49:30) Have you always been introspective? (50:15) Top three favorite candy (51:15) What happened to race announcing at Beach to Beacon? (51:30) Do you have a 26.2 sticker on the back of your car? (53:00) What would you consider to be the turning point in your career? (53:20) Check out: Akron Marathon — Use code ALI20 to save $20 on your race registration Noxgear Vest Headlamp Jess Sims & Kirsten Ferguson on Episode 551 of the Ali on the Run Show AliCat5685’s Away Messages via Spotify Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Join the Facebook group Twitter @aliontherun1 Support on Patreon Blog Strava SUPPORT the Ali on the Run Show! If you’re enjoying the show, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Spread the run love. And if you liked this episode, share it with your friends!

26 Aug 202259min

"I was in New York, and I went out and I had this experience of watching people run this marathon, and I broke down. I was like, 'Holy shit, this is the most powerful thing I’ve ever seen.'" To legions of adoring fans, Zac Clark is known as the winner of Season 16 of The Bachelorette, who got engaged to Tayshia Adams. But today, we are getting to know Zac, beyond the Bachelorette. We meet the young Zac who grew up in New Jersey, and the Zac who discovered he had a brain tumor at 23 years old, and had to undergo emergency brain surgery. We meet the Zac who recovered from surgery — and became addicted to prescription painkillers. The Zac who had a rough few years after that. Who got a DUI, whose wife left him, and who spiraled. And the Zac who hit rock bottom one day, when he was saved by a bank teller. Because of that bank teller, we get the privilege of knowing Zac today. The Zac who spent 4.5 months in rehab, and found recovery from addiction. Who not only joined the board of the rehab facility he attended, but who, in 2017, founded Release Recovery and the Release Recovery Foundation to help people through their own recovery journeys. And along the way, this Zac found running. Today, he is a 10-time marathoner who is currently training for his eighth New York City Marathon, and this month celebrates 11 years of sobriety. SPONSORS: UCAN: Click here and use code ALI for 20% off your next UCAN order. THE FIRSTENERGY AKRON MARATHON, HALF MARATHON, & TEAM RELAY: Click here to register, and use code ALI20 to get $20 off your race registration. What you’ll get on this episode: What Zac’s childhood was like, growing up in New Jersey (5:10) On making apologies in recovery (9:35) The day Zac discovered he had a brain tumor (11:00) The road to rock bottom (16:15) What Zac’s experience in rehab was like, what ultimately helped, and what leaving rehab was like (21:30) How a newly-sober Zac found his people in NYC (26:40) How Zac found running (31:00) Zac’s creation of the Release Recovery Foundation run club (38:30) How Zac reflects on his time on The Bachelorette (45:00) What Zac’s New York City Marathon training is like right now (50:00) What the Release Recovery Foundation does, and how the organization is directly helping people (58:50) Follow Zac: Instagram @zwclark Twitter @zacwclark Release Recovery Foundation Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Join the Facebook group Twitter @aliontherun1 Support on Patreon Blog Strava SUPPORT the Ali on the Run Show! If you’re enjoying the show, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Spread the run love. And if you liked this episode, share it with your friends!

25 Aug 20221h 16min

"The whole idea of getting comfortable being uncomfortable is actually about building a psychological endurance. In the same way we build a physical endurance for running more miles, we can build a kind of psychological endurance or tolerance for this stuff that is uncomfortable, but in the context of running, it’s actually normal." Welcome to Part II of this summer's Marathon Mentality series with Ali on the Run Show favorite Emily Saul! Emily is a licensed mental health counselor, sport psychology coach, and founder of E Saul Movement. She’s a former Division-1 collegiate rower, she’s a lifelong athlete, she’s a many-time marathoner, and she’s a TEDxBoston speaker. If you’re training for a fall marathon, it’s likely your long runs are ramping up, and you're spending a lot of time thinking about all things 26.2 — the good, the bad, and definitely the ugly. Fortunately, Emily is here to hold your hand throughout the process. Today, Emily is offering advice about staying mentally strong during hot runs, getting psyched up for long runs and tough workouts, and what it actually means getting comfortable being uncomfortable. Plus, "balance" during marathon season, setting goals, avoiding training burnout, and more. (Then, come back next month when Emily addresses how to tackle the taper, getting into a race-day mindset, and how to have the day of your running dreams.) SPONSOR: New Balance — Click here to learn more about how New Balance is supporting conversations around mental wellness in running. (And check out the SuperComp Trainer! I'm obsessed!) What you’ll get on this episode: Tips for when you’re mentally struggling to run in the heat (5:00) How do you actually get comfortable with being uncomfortable? (13:00) How to mentally prepare yourself for a big workout or long run (26:35) Advice on balancing marathon training with the rest of life (38:40) It’s hard to balance training with a social life — any tips for sticking with the plan? (45:25) Tips for avoiding training burnout as the weekend miles climb (52:10) How to set a time goal without adding pressure and stress and getting psyched out (1:01:30) For more, check out: Emily Saul on Episode 541 of the Ali on the Run Show Emily Saul on Episode 510 of the Ali on the Run Show Emily Saul on Episode 574 of the Ali on the Run Show Emily Saul on Episode 59 of the Ali on the Run Show Emily Saul’s TEDxBoston talk Follow Emily: Instagram @emilysaulboston Twitter @emilysaulboston Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Join the Facebook group Twitter @aliontherun1 Support on Patreon Blog Strava SUPPORT the Ali on the Run Show! If you’re enjoying the show, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Spread the run love. And if you liked this episode, share it with your friends!

19 Aug 20221h 11min

"It shows, in the past two years, how much we’ve both improved because we’ve had each other to push each other the whole way." Meet Roisin Willis and Juliette Whittaker: the fastest high schoolers in American history. Not only have Roisin and Juliette spent their respective senior years breaking records and taking home world championships medals, but they've formed a very special long-distance friendship along the way — though it won't be long-distance for much longer. Both Roisin (from Stevens Point, WI) and Juliette (from Laurel, MD) are headed to Stanford University this fall. In this conversation, we get to know the 800m runners whose running resumes are already extensive. They both competed at the U.S. Olympic Track & Field Team Trials last summer, as high school juniors. In April, Roisin was part of the distance medley relay world record-breaking team alongside Olympians Elle Purrier St. Pierre, Heather MacLean, and Kendall Ellis. In May, Juliette won the 800m race at Trials of Miles Track Night NYC, not only breaking the tape, but breaking 2:00 for the first time. Weeks later, she broke the 800m high school national record at USATF U20 Outdoor Championships. To cap off an exciting year and a very long track season, Roisin and Juliette got to represent Team USA at World Athletics U20 Championships in Cali, Colombia, where they both competed in the 800 — and became world gold and bronze medalists, respectively, in the process. Now, they're resting up, reflecting, and getting ready to head to college — together. SPONSORS: UCAN: Click here and use code ALI for 20% off your next UCAN order. THE FIRSTENERGY AKRON MARATHON, HALF MARATHON, & TEAM RELAY: Click here to register, and use code ALI20 to get $20 off your race registration. What you’ll get on this episode: Juliette and Roisin’s plans to head to Stanford University later this month (5:45) How Roisin got into running (9:45) How Juliette got into running (12:45) The story of how Juliette and Roisin met, and how they became friends (16:00) Roisin talks about qualifying for the Olympic Track & Field Trials at Trials of Miles last summer (22:40) What it was like for Roisin and Juliette to compete at last summer’s Olympic Trials (24:00) How Roisin and Juliette navigate the pressure of being the fastest high schoolers in the country (26:50) Roisin and Juliette’s race-day rituals (30:30) Juliette reflects on breaking 2:00 in the 800m for the first time at Trials of Miles this summer (37:45) How Roisin has worked on her confidence over the years (42:40) Roisin’s experience breaking the DMR world record with Team New Balance (46:15) All about the day Juliette broke the high school national record (48:50) What it was like making Team USA for the World Athletics U20 Championships (51:00) Reflecting on competing at World Athletics U20 Championships in Cali, Colombia (57:30) On the decision to attend Stanford, and who committed first (1:09:00) For more, check out: Watch Roisin & Juliette compete at World Athletics U20 Championships Follow Juliette: Instagram @jwhittaker22 Follow Roisin: Instagram @roisin.willis Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Join the Facebook group Twitter @aliontherun1 Support on Patreon Blog Strava SUPPORT the Ali on the Run Show! If you’re enjoying the show, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Spread the run love. And if you liked this episode, share it with your friends!

18 Aug 20221h 17min

"It’s really special when your friend becomes family." Some friendships build, grow, and develop over time. Others are instant. For Peloton instructors Jess Sims and Kirsten Ferguson, the best friendship was immediate. In the final episode of Friendship Fest Season 2, Jess and Kirsten talk about how they met (through Peloton, naturally), why they hit it off right away, and what it's like when a friend becomes family. Plus, "the Starbucks story" that Jess is still mad about, what it's like being Peloton-famous, and why it was so important for Kirsten to be there when Jess ran the 2022 Boston Marathon. SPONSOR: Tracksmith. Click here and use code ALI22 to get free shipping. Plus, Tracksmith will donate 5% of your purchase proceeds to The Trevor Project. What you’ll get on this episode: Jess and Kirsten introduce each other (4:15) How Jess and Kirsten met and became friends (7:05) What it’s like when new instructors join the Peloton team (13:00) “The Starbucks story” (18:20) On being Peloton-famous (25:45) All about Kirsten’s epic pool parties (28:50) On Jess’s special bond with Kirsten’s daughters (31:30) The day Jess ran the Boston Marathon — and Kirsten was there as her #1 cheerleader (36:45) Jess and Kirsten share the moments when they felt the most proud of each other (46:00) Follow Jess: Instagram @jesssims Twitter @jess_sims Follow Kirsten: Instagram @iamkirstenferguson Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Join the Facebook group Twitter @aliontherun1 Support on Patreon Blog Strava SUPPORT the Ali on the Run Show! If you’re enjoying the show, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Spread the run love. And if you liked this episode, share it with your friends!

16 Aug 20221h 10min

"There was a part of me that was like, 'What if I hate it? What if I hate this job, what if I hate this role? Because I might! I’m not a media operations person! What if I hate it?' And so before the trip even started, I had kind of told myself, 'Hey, if you don’t love this, that is not a measure of success, and that does not make you a failure. You fail at this if you don’t try, if you don’t show up for your team, if you do a bad job, if you make a lot of mistakes. That would be a failure. But not loving it just means, OK, you tried something new, and if you don’t love it, you don’t have to do it again. But go and learn and take it all in, and what an experience to get to have!'" Welcome to Ask Ali, a twice-a-month series where I answer all of your questions. This time around, I’m flying through 31 listener questions, sent in via Instagram Stories (I’m @aliontherun1), about my experience at World Athletics Championships, buying a house (!!!), living in New Hampshire, my running paces, feeling proud, and more. SPONSOR: goodr. Click here and use code ONTHERUN15 for 15% off your entire goodr order! You asked: What are the best and worst parts about living in New Hampshire? (3:40) Which one athlete or coach did you interact with at World Championships that you most want to have on the podcast? (6:45) What are you proudest of this week (at World Championships)? (7:55) Would you do something like working World Championships again? (13:10) What was your favorite race to watch? (16:20) What did a typical day in Eugene look like? (17:05) Why was that crane there? (23:15) Were meals and housing provided? (25:10) Share more about the new house! (25:30) Do you miss Brian when you travel? (26:40) Ultimate running-related dream job? (28:35) What surprised you most about yourself at World Championships? (32:30) What was your favorite thing about the state of Oregon? (33:40) How did you pack for this trip? (34:05) Favorite dessert? Upcoming marathon plans? Restocks of merch? (34:25) What is Annie’s full name? (35:15) Do you have any food preferences or allergies? (36:25) Do you like swimming? (37:25) Are you crying right now? (37:45) Sharpest memory moment from World Championships? (38:50) You’re invited to a BBQ. What do you bring? (39:50) What’s your Dairy Queen order? (40:10) How’s your voice? How do you keep it healthy when talking is a living for you? (40:20) Who surprised you at the press conferences, in a good way? (42:30) How did the Crohn’s hold up with such busy days? (44:00) Why do you do all your runs at a fast pace? (47:30) Will you sleep in past 4:30 now? (51:20) Did you go to the Saturday market in Eugene? (52:30) How did you / everyone not get Covid in Eugene? (52:35) Are your legs really that long? (53:30) How freaking exhausted are you at this point? (57:50) Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Join the Facebook group Twitter @aliontherun1 Support on Patreon Blog Strava SUPPORT the Ali on the Run Show! If you’re enjoying the show, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Spread the run love. And if you liked this episode, share it with your friends!

12 Aug 20221h 1min

"When you think about what you hope to leave on the sport or model for my daughters through the sport, I hope that’s what people see: resiliency, and how to pick yourself up, and not let discouragement get you down." First we heard from Keira D'Amato. Then Emma Bates. And now, we complete the World Athletics Championships Team USA women's marathon trifecta on the Ali on the Run Show with fifth-place finisher Sara Hall. Not only did Sara — a 39-year-old mom of four — run a season's best time of 2:22:10 that day in Eugene, she also says it was the most fun she's ever had running a marathon. In this conversation, Sara recaps her entire World Championships experience. SPONSORS: UCAN: Click here and use code ALI for 20% off your next UCAN order. Vuori: Click here for 20% off your first Vuori purchase. What you’ll get on this episode: Was Sara having as much fun as it seemed? (3:40) Sara reflects on her training for the World Championships marathon, and how she was feeling heading into the race both physically and emotionally (8:50) The impact Sara’s performance at the 2020 London Marathon has had on her career and her confidence (12:00) What Sara’s pre-race obligations were like (17:30) All about race morning (20:00) Sara’s plan to have fun (29:20) How the race played out (35:00) The moment when Sara decided to chase down fifth place (40:10) Sights and sounds from the finish line (43:20) Sara recaps all the post-race action and activities (51:00) What Sara can — and can’t — tell us about her fall racing plans (55:15) For more, check out: Sara Hall on Episode 490 of the Ali on the Run Show Sara Hall on Episode 459 of the Ali on the Run Show Sara Hall on Episode 321 of the Ali on the Run Show Sara Hall on Episode 300 of the Ali on the Run Show Sara and Ryan Hall on Episode 144 of the Ali on the Run Show Follow Sara:  Instagram @sarahall3 Twitter @sarahall3 Facebook Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Join the Facebook group Twitter @aliontherun1 Support on Patreon Blog Strava SUPPORT the Ali on the Run Show! If you’re enjoying the show, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Spread the run love. And if you liked this episode, share it with your friends!

11 Aug 20221h 4min

"These people are out on the track, by themselves, just with their own body and their own mind. It’s really cool to watch. It’s cool to watch humans push themselves like that. And I want everyone else to be as excited about it as I am." Michelle Wolf is a stand-up comic, an ultra runner, and a massive fan of track and field. So it makes perfect sense that she was at World Athletics Championships in Eugene, OR, last month! In this conversation, Michelle talks about how she ended up in Eugene, working with the Hayward Magic team on an Instagram series called "Loosen Up with Michelle Wolf." (Fun fact: She got the job, in part, after her appearance on the Ali on the Run Show last year!) She talks about interviewing athletes including Athing Mu, Ryan Crouser, Grant Fisher, and Marvin Bracy-Williams, and shares the highs and lows of her time at Hayward Field. SPONSOR: New Balance — Click here to learn more about how New Balance is supporting conversations around mental wellness in running. (And check out my current favorite bra, pullover, and crop top.) What you’ll get on this episode: What Michelle has been up to since World Championships (2:30) How Michelle got to go to World Championships (5:50) What Emily’s shows in Portland were like leading up to World Championships (11:30) All about “Loosen Up with Michelle Wolf” (20:10) On balancing work and running (22:50) Michelle’s experience interviewing Athing Mu (28:45) Behind-the-scenes stories from Eugene (34:45) Michelle’s highest and lowest points from being at World Championships (45:15) For more, check out: Michelle Wolf on Episode 464 of the Ali on the Run Show Laura Green on Instagram Celeste Barber on Instagram Follow Michelle: Instagram @michelleisawolf Twitter @michelleisawolf Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Join the Facebook group Twitter @aliontherun1 Support on Patreon Blog Strava SUPPORT the Ali on the Run Show! If you’re enjoying the show, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Spread the run love. And if you liked this episode, share it with your friends!

5 Aug 20221h 4min